Was there ever a time in your life when you needed someone to stand up for you?

Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, provides a powerful voice for abused and neglected children. In 2015, there were 840 founded cases of abuse and neglect in Jackson County. In an overburdened system, these children risk slipping through the cracks and suffering from further abuse. CASA volunteers have the power to prevent this tragic reality. These dedicated, highly-trained community members serve as fact finders for the judge by researching the background of each assigned case. They speak for the child in the courtroom, representing the child’s best interests, and work to move the child as quickly and effectively as possible through the system and into a safe, permanent home.

What Is CASA of Jackson County?CASA of Jackson County, founded in 1990, is a non-profit organization responsible for recruiting, training and supporting the work of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers. CASA volunteers do what no one else does- they donate their time to act as independent eyes and ears of the court and speak solely for the best interest of children and youth in the custody of DHS.

CASA of Jackson County is an Equal Opportunity Program and Equal Employment Opportunity

Who Are CASAs?

Community members from varied educational backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences

Individuals with a genuine interest in the well-being of children

Men, women or couples over 21 years old, who are willing to complete 40 hours of training plus 12 hours annually of continued education and give approximately 10 hours per month to change the life of a child

Who Are the Children?

Abused and neglected children are all ages, newborns to age 18; 41% are 5 years old or younger

It is estimated that more than 800 children in Jackson County are victims of abuse and/or neglect each year

What Does A CASA Do?

Gathers all pertinent information related to the child’s case

Identifies the child’s needs and ensures appropriate services

CASAs show up and speak up

Makes recommendations to the court judge through written and verbal reports

Serves as a consistent & knowledgeable advocate for the child’s placement in a safe, permanent and nurturing home

Why Do We Need CASAs?

The presiding judge relies on the CASA to investigate the case and recommend what is in the child’s best interest.

Volunteering

We couldn’t change lives for children without our wonderful volunteers!

The most significant way you can help a child is by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

CASA volunteers give a two-year commitment to investigate, examine and recommend to the Juvenile Court

the best option for a safe and permanent home for the children assigned to them.

This is one cause where the actions of a single person mean everything.

One volunteer, trained and empowered to ensure that every child can thrive in the safe embrace of a loving home.

One joy scatters a thousand griefs…

CASA of Jackson County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) gives children a voice when they most need it.

Abused and neglected children can easily slip between the cracks of an overburdened child welfare

and legal system. CASA volunteers are well trained and supported by our program –

their charge is to ensure the children they represent are not forgotten, have their needs fully met,

remain safe and ultimately come to live in stable, loving and secure homes.

161 CASA volunteers successfully advocated for 589 children in 2015.Currently there are 357 children active in CASA’s program.There are 308 children on our waiting list.

Give a Child Hope for the Future!Be the person who answers the phone when a child callsAdvocate for a tutor to help a child in mathSpeak out when a child is afraid to go to school because of bullying Ensure that a child receives a comprehensive medical assessment Help a child get off of unnecessary and harmful medication Assist in increasing visits for a child who needs to see his dad Advocate for a special needs child to receive occupational and physical therapyTell the Judge that a child should not have to change schoolsCheerlead for a mom who is doing great so a child can go home to her

To Become a CASA VolunteerAttend an orientation (required prior to training),

The event gets started with a double shotgun golf tournament at Centennial Golf Clubin Medford, Oregon. Compete against up to 50 other golf teams. Put your foursome together or register as an individual and you will be paired up

Gates open at 4pm and a culinary/beverage heaven begins at 5pm featuring Southern Oregon’s finest chefs, hand-crafted beers, a variety of wines and spirit tastings, specialty desserts and more. The party kicks into a higher gear at 7pm when Grammy Award winning artist Lonnie Chapin’s band Precious Byrd

hits the stage. You do not have to play golf to attend the Feast, individual dinner tickets are for sale in addition to corporate tables and more.

Children removed from their homes in an emergency situation often do not leave with clothing, toiletries or other needed items. Our CASA Advocates do everything they can to make sure children have seasonal clothing, good shoes, toiletries and school supplies. Generous donors and organizations in our community help provide these items. In 2015, Lowe’s Heroes donated and constructed our Lowe’s Clothing Closet here in the CASA office. Donations of new items are always appreciated and accepted.